How TikTok grew from a fun app for teens into a potential national security threat

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1. >…July 2020

   >[India bans TikTok](https://apnews.com/article/bd02ecd62ff9da6b1301868f0308e297) and dozens of other Chinese apps in response to a border clash with China.

   >President Donald Trump says he is [considering banning TikTok](https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-2019-2020-coronavirus-pandemic-f2bd5e425391465081333cab26d34365) as retaliation for China’s alleged mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

   >August 2020

   >Trump issues a [sweeping but vague executive order](https://apnews.com/article/global-trade-ap-top-news-politics-asia-business-719d8c83f689929c9c9d8c9aa5593fc8) banning American companies from any “transaction” with ByteDance and its subsidiaries, including TikTok. Several days later, he issues a second order demanding that [ByteDance divest itself of TikTok’s U.S. operations](https://apnews.com/article/ap-top-news-technology-foreign-policy-politics-business-1f636191b0b9e28c7041fb64fb547801) within 90 days.

   >Microsoft confirms it is [exploring acquisition of TikTok](https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2020/08/02/microsoft-to-continue-discussions-on-potential-tiktok-purchase-in-the-united-states/). The deal never materializes; neither does a similar overture from Oracle and Walmart. TikTok, meanwhile, [sues the Trump administration](https://apnews.com/article/b5b90af034c4911dd0bf1bfdb7f23f64) for alleged violation of due process in its executive orders…

   And who can forget the time when TikTok users trolled Mr. Trump by depressing turnout for his rally in Tulsa? 😉

   [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-rally-tiktok-crowds-tulsa/](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-rally-tiktok-crowds-tulsa/)

   [https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/after-trump-rally-falls-flat-tiktok-teens-take-victory-lap-n1231675](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/after-trump-rally-falls-flat-tiktok-teens-take-victory-lap-n1231675)

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